She graduated from Tate County Agricultural High School in 1945. She later attended Mississippi State College for Women where she was roommates with her lifelong friend, Josephine Davis. She graduated with a degree in Home Economics in 1949.
She married William Barker Howard in 1951 in Water Valley. In 1952, they moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where Bill attended medical school. Betty worked at a local news station at that time. She was on a television program called “What’s Cooking Today.” The program was based on home economics and she advised women on matters such as how to bake a perfect Thanksgiving turkey and how to find properly fitted shoes.
Once settled in Pontotoc, Betty was the perfect mother, wife, homemaker, and friend. She spent her time constantly serving others. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, and spending time with the Bridge Club, Garden Club, and other events with her many Pontotoc friends. She was the quintessential hostess – it was in her nature to make others feel at home. She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Pontotoc.
Betty was known for her abilities in the kitchen, especially for her popular and sought-after caramel cake and cheese straws. She put so much love and care into her cooking for others. Many will remember Betty showing up at their door with a cake, a basket of muffins or cookies. She was the epitome of a southern lady.
Betty, affectionately known as “Gan Gan”, was a devoted and loving grandmother. She was adored by her 5 grandchildren. She freely shared many life lessons with them, including her cooking secrets, her basketball hook shot, and endless stories of her childhood and family history.
During her final days, she kept her sense of humor and big smile.
When she entered the gates of Heaven, she was reunited with her parents, her siblings, her husband, her daughter, her daughter-in-law, and countless friends, all of whom she has been missing for years.
Betty was lovingly cared for by Dr. Flavia West-Huddleston.
She is survived and deeply grieved by her sons Bill Howard, Jr. (Heather), Bob Howard, and Ben Howard (Gaye); her grandchildren Elizabeth Howard (Taylor Wilkinson), Barker Howard (Genna), Robert Howard, Will Howard, and Caroline Howard; great-grandson William Barker Howard IV; and her sisters-in-law Doris Price and Jerry Price.
She was preceded in death by her parents Asa and Bonnie Price; her brothers Flavius Price, Howard Price (Dollene), and her twin brother Billy Price; her sister Anne Price Beers (Trent); her husband Dr. Bill Howard, her daughter Elizabeth Anne Howard, and her daughter-in-law Sonya Ellzey Howard.
Betty spent her last months in the love and care of her special friends – Mae Patton, Luedean Chew, Brandy Ivy, Chasity Patton, and Pearl Ivy.
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 26 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at First Baptist Church of Pontotoc. The funeral will be held Thursday, October 26 at 2:00pm at First Baptist Church of Pontotoc.
Pallbearers include Barker Howard, Will Howard, Robert Howard, Taylor Wilkinson, Sammy Bramlett, and Mike Simon.
The Howard family requests memorial gifts in Betty’s honor to First Baptist Church of Pontotoc Building Fund.
Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc is honored to assist the family with the arrangements.
